Current and Charge Densities Induced on the Surface of a Prolate Spheroid Illuminated by a Plane Wave Electromagnetic Field

The current and charge densities induced on the surface of a highly conducting prolate spheroid in the presence of a plane wave electromagnetic field are obtained. The derived formula for the charge density is approximate except at the tips of the spheroid, where it yields exact results regardless of the eccentricity. One application of the theory is the determination of the total permissible current in a missile, before dielectric breakdown of the ambient medium occurs at the tip of the missile.